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We all have our Goliaths, our own giants to face in life. We all have spiritual battles to fight with a very real enemy who wants nothing more than our utter defeat. The Bible tells us to put on the armor of God but do you often find yourself facing your Goliath in someone else’s armor?

Put on the Armor of God – A Shepherd Boy

David was a young shepherd boy, the son of Jesse. He had three brothers who had gone to war alongside King Saul against the Philistines. Goliath was their champion. He was a giant who would come out each day and taunt the Israelites. He would challenge them to send someone to fight him. But not only would no one step up to battle this giant, they fled.

Jesse asked David to bring some food to his brothers on the front lines. So David left his sheep in Bethlehem in the care of a shepherd and took off to the Valley of Elah to bring the grain and bread to his brothers.

David Meets Goliath

David arrives and he hears Goliath taunting the Israelites. He asks what will be done for the man who can defeat Goliath. He is told the King will give him great wealth, his daughter in marriage and his family will be tax exempt.

So David tells Saul that he will fight this giant. Saul basically laughs him off because he is just a child. But David essentially gives Saul his resume and tells him of the time he killed a lion and a bear to protect the sheep. He says this “uncircumcised Philistine” is just like a wild animal and that the same God who helped him defeat the lion and bear will allow him to defeat Goliath.

So Saul agrees and dresses David in his armor.

Saul’s Armor

Now King Saul was a very tall man so his armor was not ideal for David.  1 Samuel 17:39 says:

“…and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” So David put them off.” ESV

Saul’s armor would not work for David because it was too big. It was not meant for David, it was meant for Saul. David tried to make it work but you cannot force someone else’s solution to fit your problem!

All David wanted or needed was the 5 smooth stones he picked up off the ground, his slingshot, and the God of Israel.

David took out Goliath with one shot and cut off his head with his own sword.

David didn’t need Saul’s armor. He only needed to put on the armor of God, the Holy One of Israel.

Put on the Armor of God Instead of Facing Your Goliath in Someone Else’s Armor

Are you coming up against your giants in someone else’s armor?

Are you trying to solve life’s problems and battling the enemy the way someone else advises or the way someone else handled a similar issue, or are you going to God and putting on the only armor you need; the whole armor of God.

The Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-18:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” ESV

Test Everything

God doesn’t want us doing things the way other people have. Sure, we should seek godly counsel but at the end of the day, we have to be sure it is what God wants for us. We need to seek Him in His Word and in prayer. Everything must be measured up against the Word of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:21:

“…but test everything; hold fast what is good.” NIV

Facing your Goliath means that, like David, you have to give the battle to the Lord. Let the Lord go before you into battle!

David did not want to wear Saul’s armor, not only because it was too large, but because it was untested for him. Put on the armor of God, not the armor of man!

Test everything! Don’t assume because something works for someone else that it will work for you!

Don’t try facing your Goliath in someone else’s armor! Let the Lord lead you!

Some other posts like “Put on the Armor of God” you might enjoy:

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT SPIRITUAL WARFARE

BE WATCHFUL – A WINTRY REMINDER OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE

HOW TO GUARD YOUR HEART AND YOUR MIND TO FIND GOD’S PEACE

DROPS IN THE BUCKET – RECOGNIZING SUBTLE ATTACKS OF THE DEVIL

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™